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06/07/2009
Anger Over Ambulance Cut-backs
New proposals are being considered which could see thousands of hours cut from emergency ambulance service across Northern Ireland.
Frontline cover could be cut by as much as 70,000 hours under plans that have come about as a result of the Northern Ireland Executive's Comprehensive Spending Review.
As a result, rural areas - such as those west of the Bann - are expected to be worst hit under proposals which have already been approved by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
The Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said he would carefully consider the plans.
However, despite the ambulance service claiming that its capacity to respond would actually improve, health service unions are angry.
John Kay of Unison said places like Londonderry needed more ambulances, not fewer.
"We are pushing the limits, we are working on the breadline and we have been for years," he said.
The Ambulance Service has said it had taken into consideration the position of rural areas.
In a statement they said there will be an extra 135,000 hours of paramedic rapid response cover, although responsibility for transporting patients to hospital still lies with ambulance crews.
Brian McNeil from the Ambulance Service has denied it is about making cuts to the service.
"This is a combination of two things, it's about achieving our efficiency savings, by reducing the number of A and E hours over three years," he said.
"But more importantly it's about using our investment money that we have available to increase paramedic hours that we will have by 131, 400 over the next three years."
(BMcC/JM)
Frontline cover could be cut by as much as 70,000 hours under plans that have come about as a result of the Northern Ireland Executive's Comprehensive Spending Review.
As a result, rural areas - such as those west of the Bann - are expected to be worst hit under proposals which have already been approved by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
The Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said he would carefully consider the plans.
However, despite the ambulance service claiming that its capacity to respond would actually improve, health service unions are angry.
John Kay of Unison said places like Londonderry needed more ambulances, not fewer.
"We are pushing the limits, we are working on the breadline and we have been for years," he said.
The Ambulance Service has said it had taken into consideration the position of rural areas.
In a statement they said there will be an extra 135,000 hours of paramedic rapid response cover, although responsibility for transporting patients to hospital still lies with ambulance crews.
Brian McNeil from the Ambulance Service has denied it is about making cuts to the service.
"This is a combination of two things, it's about achieving our efficiency savings, by reducing the number of A and E hours over three years," he said.
"But more importantly it's about using our investment money that we have available to increase paramedic hours that we will have by 131, 400 over the next three years."
(BMcC/JM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
